Paphos charity, Cancer Patients Support Group (CPSG), is celebrating its 21st birthday this year and is marking the event with an expansion of support services.

The CPSG is marking over two decades as the fundraising arm for the Paphos Branch of the Association of Cancer Patients and Friends (PASYKAF) with the growth of its helpline, a telephone service for people affected by the illness.

“In 2008, we saw the introduction of a confidential helpline, which has proved such an asset that in January 2016, its hours of work have been increased,” CPSG chairwoman Maxine Daley told the Cyprus Weekly.

“It now operates from Monday to Thursday from 9am to 4pm and on Friday from 9am to 1am. It’s for anyone who feels that they require assistance.”

The CPSG was formed in 1995 to provide financial assistance through fundraising for the benefit of PASYKAF. Monies are for its invaluable free home-care and support services provided by nurses, for equipment for PASYKAF patients and for financial assistance towards the free bus service for cancer patients from their centre in Paphos to the Bank of Cyprus Oncology Centre in Nicosia.

Starting out from a small apartment, the CPSG and PASYKAF now serve their patients from a bungalow-style day centre in Paphos. Visitors are welcome to the CPSG coffee mornings every second Tuesday of the month. During the morning, an update is provided of current donations and events, as well as other details of matters arising within the group. A newsletter is also produced quarterly.

Homecare nursing
Because of its close association with the PASYKAF Homecare Nursing, fundraising remains a top priority for the CPSG’s dedicated committee who work in an advisory capacity with supporters on events or arrange functions and events themselves.

The CPSG is fortunate to have the patronage of local rock choir, The Paphos Zingers, a group which has raised over €60,000 in four years for the charity in venues in cities and towns throughout the island.

“What are the CPSG’s objectives and goals for the next 21 years? Certainly our goal is to ensure that, through fundraising, they continue their support for the Paphos nurses and the homecare services they provide,” Daley said.

“Alongside this, must also be the continuation of the volunteers, who, together with the fundraisers, have elected to give up their own time in the service of the charity they have chosen to represent.”

To this end, the group is holding a Carnival Party in March and runs monthly Quiz Night and Big Breakfast events. Support also has come through local schools Aspire and TLC where Daley and nursing staff have gone to speak about what the CPSG helpline does.

“Some of the children have relatives suffering from cancer, so they can talk about it with us and we could pass on details about our services,” Daley said. “Aspire even organised their own fundraising ‘No tech’ day where they raised €1,000 for us.”

Motivated by caring for close relatives suffering from cancer for decades, Daley became involved in the CPSG in 2010, starting as a volunteer.

“I trained and qualified as a volunteer for the PASYKAF nursing team, visiting their patients when they required volunteer assistance.

“I have been events coordinator for CPSG for the last four years and, two years ago, I put together the first ‘Awareness Programme’ for the group.

“Like our wonderful nurses, I have been privileged to enter patients’ homes on more than one occasion to help where required. My next step is to become a volunteer trainer.”

The CPSG has more big plans for this special year. In the autumn it will launch a dedicated support group for breast cancer patients called Breast of Friends, headed by Daley.

“So many of my friends have gone through it,” she said. “You need a lot of emotional support going through the aftercare.”

In the summer, the charity is holding a spa pamper day and a fundraising dinner event in celebration of its 21st birthday at the UKCA Club in Paphos, which was one of the charity’s first supporters.

To find out more about the services the CPSG offers the community, how to get involved or to learn about events, go to: http://www.cancerpatientssupport.net/

For emotional and practical support, call the confidential helpline on 97760989.